Wegovy Tablets vs Mounjaro: Tablet vs Injection Compared (2026)

Short answer: Wegovy tablets (oral semaglutide) are taken once a day on an empty stomach, and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a once-weekly injection taken at any time of day. In separate trials, adults on Wegovy tablets 25mg lost an average of 13.6% of their body weight over 64 weeks (OASIS 4), and adults on Mounjaro 15mg lost 20.9% over 72 weeks (SURMOUNT-1), counting everyone who started treatment. These were separate trials in different groups of people, so the figures are not a direct comparison. Individual results vary.

No published trial has compared Wegovy tablets with Mounjaro directly. Below, the two are set side by side on how they work, how they are taken, dose steps, side effects and cost, from their UK product information and the two trials. A GPhC-registered pharmacist reviews every order before anything is supplied.

Comparing the two weekly injections instead? Our Mounjaro vs Wegovy guide sets the injections side by side.

What is the difference between Wegovy tablets and Mounjaro?

Wegovy tablets contain oral semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which activates both the GLP-1 receptor and a second receptor called GIP. They are different molecules, taken in different ways.

How are Wegovy tablets and Mounjaro taken?

• Wegovy tablets: once a day on an empty stomach, after at least 8 hours without food (for most people, first thing in the morning). Swallow the tablet whole with a sip of plain water, up to 120ml, then wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking anything else or taking other medicines by mouth.
• Mounjaro: one injection under the skin once a week with the KwikPen, a pre-filled pen, at any time of day, with or without food.

Mounjaro is more forgiving on routine; Wegovy tablets are more forgiving on needles. See how to take the Wegovy pill for the morning routine step by step.

How much weight do people lose on each?

• Wegovy tablets 25mg: In the OASIS 4 trial (NEJM, 2025), adults with overweight or obesity who took oral semaglutide 25mg once a day lost an average of 13.6% of their body weight over 64 weeks, compared with 2.2% on placebo, counting everyone who started treatment. 27.5% lost 20% or more of their weight, against 3% on placebo. Individual results vary.
• Mounjaro 15mg: In the SURMOUNT-1 trial (New England Journal of Medicine, 2022), adults with obesity or overweight and without diabetes who took tirzepatide 15mg alongside diet and activity advice lost an average of 20.9% of their body weight over 72 weeks, compared with 3.1% on placebo, counting everyone who started treatment. Assuming everyone had stayed on treatment, the estimated average was 22.5%. On 15mg, 91% lost at least 5% of their weight, compared with 35% on placebo. Individual results vary.

These were separate trials in different groups of people, so the figures are not a direct comparison. Individual results vary.

No published trial has compared Wegovy tablets with Mounjaro, so these figures cannot tell you which would work better for you.

How long does it take to reach the full dose?

Both medicines start low and step up gradually to reduce side effects. Wegovy tablets start at 1.5mg once a day for a month, then go up to 4mg, 9mg and 25mg, with at least a month at each step, so the earliest you reach the 25mg maintenance dose is the start of your fourth month. If needed, the dose can stay at the previous step. Mounjaro starts at 2.5mg once a week for 4 weeks, then 5mg. If needed, it goes up in 2.5mg steps, at least 4 weeks apart, to a maximum of 15mg, so reaching 15mg takes at least 20 weeks. The licence's maintenance doses for Mounjaro are 5mg, 10mg and 15mg.

What are the side effects of each?

Both are dominated by stomach and bowel side effects: nausea, constipation, diarrhoea and indigestion. With both, these are reported most often while the dose is being increased, and most are mild to moderate. In the OASIS 4 trial (NEJM, 2025), 74% of adults with overweight or obesity who took oral semaglutide 25mg once a day reported a stomach or bowel side effect at some point during the trial, compared with 42% on placebo. Individual results vary. Mounjaro's most common side effects are also stomach and bowel symptoms, and its product information says nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea were more common while the dose was being increased and became less common over time.

With both medicines, pancreatitis is uncommon, gallbladder problems such as gallstones are common, and dehydration from vomiting or diarrhoea can affect the kidneys. In January 2026 the MHRA strengthened the warning on pancreatitis for all GLP-1 and dual GLP-1/GIP medicines, as rare cases have been severe (necrotising) or fatal. The full lists are in our Wegovy tablets side effects and Mounjaro side effects guides.

Who might each one suit?

Consider Wegovy tablets if you:

• Won't or can't self-inject long-term.
• Can reliably keep to the morning routine: an empty stomach, then at least 30 minutes before food, drink or other medicines.
• Prefer a daily routine (like a tablet) over a weekly appointment with yourself.

Consider Mounjaro if you:

• Prefer a once-weekly medicine with no food-timing rules.
• Are comfortable with a pen injection under the skin.

Either way, your pharmacist decides whether a medicine is suitable for you before anything is supplied.

How much do Wegovy tablets and Mounjaro cost?

Both Wegovy tablets and Mounjaro are priced per dose, rising as you step up, with delivery charged separately. Pharmacist review is included in both, with no separate consultation fee. For a full breakdown, see how much Wegovy tablets cost in the UK, or compare against injections with our pill vs injection guide.